Infusing Early Intervention for Substance Use Into Community Mental Health Services for Transitioning Youth

Abstract

The treatment of transitioning youth (ages 16–25) diagnosed with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse problems has been the focus of numerous research and practice efforts. However, far less attention has been devoted to intervening early to address alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, which has the potential to contribute to the numerous challenges transitioning youth with emotional or behavioral disorders already confront. This article describes transitioning youth, their need for AOD early intervention, and the community mental health system characteristics to be considered in developing early intervention practices. Implementation and enhancement of effective AOD screening and early intervention practices has the potential to facilitate a healthy transition to adulthood for youth who experience considerable risk for substance abuse disorders.

Keywords:

• adolescence
• mental health
• substance abuse
• substance-related disorders
• transitioning youth

Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Ed Cohen, Brenda Miller, and Mia Houtermans for their helpful feedback on earlier drafts of this article. Thank you also to Veronica Forbes for assisting with final review.

Notes

1. The data in 1–4 is from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Data Archive. (2007). National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2006. Retrieved from http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/cocoon/SAMHDA/STUDY/21240.xml. We generated the cross-tabulations shown above using the Online Survey Documentation and Analysis (SDA) system.